Exercise methods and apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus has a crank and a degree of freedom disposed between a force receiving member and a frame. The resulting linkage allows the force receiving member to move through a generally elliptical path of motion.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
       a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;  
       first and second force receiving members, each sized and configured to accommodate a person's foot;  
       first and second cranks; and  
       first and second rocker links rotatably connected to respective cranks, wherein one of the first crank and the first rocker link is connected to the frame and moves about an axis relative thereto, and the other of the first crank and the first rocker link is connected to the first force receiving member and moves about an axis relative thereto, and one of the second crank and the second rocker link is connected to the frame and moves about an axis relative thereto, and the other of the second crank and the second rocker link is connected to the second force receiving member and moves about an axis relative thereto.  
     
     
       2. The exercise apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first rocker link is interconnected between the first crank and the frame, and the second rocker link is interconnected between the second crank and the frame. 
     
     
       3. The exercise apparatus of claim  2 , wherein the first and second force receiving members are pedals. 
     
     
       4. The exercise apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first and second force receiving members are rotatably mounted to respective cranks. 
     
     
       5. The exercise apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first and second force receiving members are pedals. 
     
     
       6. The exercise apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first and second cranks are synchronized. 
     
     
       7. The exercise apparatus of claim  1 , wherein each of the rocker links is biased against movement in at least one direction. 
     
     
       8. An exercise apparatus, comprising: 
       first and second cranks;  
       first and second rocker links rotatably connected to respective cranks to form respective first and second crank and rocker link combinations;  
       a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface; and  
       first and second force receiving members, each sized and configured to accommodate a person's foot, wherein the first crank and rocker link combination is movably interconnected between the first force receiving member and the frame, and the second crank and rocker link combination is movably interconnected between the second force receiving member and the frame.  
     
     
       9. The exercise apparatus of claim  8 , wherein the first rocker link is interconnected between the first crank and the frame, and the second rocker link is interconnected between the second crank and the frame. 
     
     
       10. The exercise apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the first and second force receiving members are pedals. 
     
     
       11. The exercise apparatus of claim  8 , wherein the first and second force receiving members are rotatably mounted to respective cranks. 
     
     
       12. The exercise apparatus of claim  8 , wherein the first and second force receiving members are pedals. 
     
     
       13. The exercise apparatus of claim  8 , wherein the first and second cranks are synchronized. 
     
     
       14. The exercise apparatus of claim  8 , wherein each of the rocker links is biased against movement in at least one direction. 
     
     
       15. An elliptical motion exercise apparatus, comprising: 
       a frame designed to rest upon a floor surface;  
       first and second force receiving members, each sized and configured to accommodate a person's foot;  
       first and second crank assemblies interconnected between the frame and respective first and second force receiving members, wherein each of the assemblies includes (a) a crank which rotates about a crank axis and has a connection point disposed at a radial distance from the crank axis; and (b) a means for (i) limiting displacement of the force receiving members in a first direction to twice the radial distance, and (ii) allowing relatively greater displacement of the force receiving members in a second, perpendicular direction in response to user exerted force applied to the force receiving members, whereby the force receiving members are movable through respective closed loops which vary in configuration according to the user exerted force.  
     
     
       16. The exercise apparatus of claim  15 , wherein each said means includes a rocker link, and each of the cranks is rotatably mounted on a respective rocker link, and each rocker link is pivotally mounted on the frame. 
     
     
       17. The exercise apparatus of claim  16 , wherein each rocker link is biased to resist movement in at least one direction. 
     
     
       18. The exercise apparatus of claim  15 , further comprising a means for resisting displacement of the force receiving members in the second, perpendicular direction.